2008 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends

More 2008 Fantasy Football Rankings

Projected points are based on traditional fantasy scoring systems, where you get 1 point for 20 yards passing, 10 yards rushing/receiving; and 6 points for a touchdown. When I post my Top 150, I'll have lists for traditional, PPR and touchdown leagues. I'll also have notifications if a player is better or worse in one of those scoring systems.

Antonio Gates, Chargers
I had Antonio Gates on three of my five fantasy teams last year. I was not pleased with his production. He was so inconsistent late in the year. One week, he had six catches for 105 yards; the next, one reception for eight yards. So, what happened to a guy who started off so hot (639 yards and five touchdowns the first seven games)? Well, Gates played through a dislocated toe during the latter stages of the season. He had foot surgery in late February and is still in recovery. Gates will probably miss all preseason and may not even play on Kickoff Sunday.

So, will Gates be ready to go? Tony Gonzalez missed all of training camp and preseason in 2002 and set the league on fire that year. But every player is different. My advice is to stay away from Gates unless he slips in your fantasy draft.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 850 receiving yards. 8 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 133.

Kellen Winslow Jr., Browns
Kellen Winslow Jr. is coming off knee surgery, but he's looked great in training camp thus far. That was the only thing holding me back here. Winslow is one of the top tight ends in the league, as indicated by his numbers (82 catches, 1,106 yards and five touchdowns).
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 1,025 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 132.

Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
There's a lot of value with Tony Gonzalez. He's aging, so fantasy owners are likely to pass him over in favor of someone else. Gonzalez had 99 receptions, 1,172 yards and five touchdowns last year. It'll be sad to see Gonzalez, 32, entering the twilight of his career with a terrible team, but if you have him on your fantasy team, I'm sure you won't be as upset.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 950 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 119.

Todd Heap, Ravens
Todd Heap has been a consistent target for Baltimore quarterbacks since 2002, but he played in only five full contests last season, thanks to a torn hamstring. Heap is fully healthy, and could present solid value with some fantasy owners subconsciously downgrading him. Don't do that; Heap is good for about 70 catches, 800 yards and six scores.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 800 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 116.

Jeremy Shockey, Saints
Jeremy Shockey is a problem in the locker room and he drops a lot of balls, but I still think trading for him was a good move on New Orleans' part. Shockey is a much better mid-range target than Eric Johnson and Billy Miller. The only real concern for you is Shockey's health.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 800 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 116.

Tony Scheffler, Broncos
I pegged Tony Scheffler as a sleeper last year, predicting 650 receiving yards and eight touchdowns for him. Scheffler finished with 549 yards and five touchdowns, but keep in mind that he missed the first four games of the season (he dressed, but couldn't do anything because of an injury). If you can't land one of the top tight ends in your league, make sure you draft this guy later on.

AUG. 20 UPDATE: Tony Scheffler caught just one pass for eight yards. He was removed from the lineup by an angry Mike Shanahan for committing two consecutive false starts. The Broncos don't really have anyone who can supplant Scheffler, so don't read too much into this.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 700 receiving yards. 7 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 112.

Owen Daniels, Texans
In only his second season, Owen Daniels emerged as one of the better tight ends in the NFL, catching 63 passes for 768 yards and three touchdowns. Daniels never had an incredible game, but he was pretty consistent. All three of Daniels' scores came in Week 12 and beyond, so he could become a more featured end-zone target in 2008.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 800 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 110.

Heath Miller, Steelers
Heath Miller rebounded from a sophomore slump (though his struggles were attributed to Ben Roethlisberger's complications), catching 47 passes for 566 yards and seven touchdowns. He saved his best production for last, registering eight receptions, 85 yards and a score against the Jaguars in the playoffs.

Dallas Clark, Colts
Last year, I mentioned Dallas Clark was a household name although he had yet to register more than 500 receiving yards in a single season. Well, that changed. Thanks to Marvin Harrison's injury, Clark became a greater factor in the offense, catching 58 passes for 616 yards and 11 touchdowns - all of which were career-highs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 550 receiving yards. 8 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 103.

Vernon Davis, 49ers
Vernon Davis hasn't really done anything great in the NFL just yet, as he registered 52 receptions, 509 yards and four touchdowns last year. However, Mike Martz could turn Davis into a statistical machine. Davis is Martz's first extremely athletically gifted receiving tight end, so it should be interesting to see how he's used.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 700 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 100.

Zach Miller, Raiders
Zach Miller is worth drafting as a sleeper tight end because he had his best performance (eight receptions, 84 yards) in the final week of the season - JaMarcus Russell's only full game.

AUG. 16 UPDATE: Zach Miller had his best performance of his rookie year in the only game JaMarcus Russell started, catching eight balls for 84 yards. Miller picked up where he left off, registering four receptions for 48 yards and a score.

Kevin Boss, Giants
Kevin Boss finished strong in his rookie season, catching nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown the final five weeks of the season. With another year of experience and Shockey's departure, Boss should be able to put up respectable figures.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 550 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 85.

Ben Watson, Patriots
Overrated. Ben Watson disappeared at times last season. For example, he had only three receptions during New England's entire playoff run. I know he was hampered with an ankle injury all year, but it always seems like he's hurt. Watson had 389 receptions and six touchdowns in 12 games.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 500 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 80.

Donald Lee, Packers
Donald Lee shattered career highs with 48 receptions, 575 yards and six touchdowns last season. He shouldn't be your starting tight end, but he'll fit in well when your starter is on a bye. Lee had most of his touchdowns late in the season, but one has to wonder if Aaron Rodgers will come close to utilizing his tight ends as much as Brett Favre loved to do.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 490 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 79.

Ben Utecht, Bengals
I can't remember the last time the Bengals had a potent tight end. They've wasted so much time with Reggie Kelly, I feel like I just came out of a stupor. With Chris Henry off giving alcohol to 8-year-old kids, Utecht becomes Carson Palmer's third option.

AUG. 18 UPDATE: Ben Utecht caught two balls for 25 yards but dropped a ball that was fired directly into his chest 15 yards downfield.

AUG. 19 UPDATE: And I thought the Bengals were trying to get rid of everyone with poor-character traits? Actually, I find it interesting that the Bengals re-signed Chris Henry just one day after Chad Johnson suffered his shoulder injury. If you feel like burning a mid-round pick on Henry, remember that he's suspended for four games, so the numbers below reflect that*. Also, keep in mind that in seven games last season, Henry collected just 343 yards and two touchdowns. He's an intriguing option and will take some targets away from everyone, especially Ben Utecht.

AUG. 28 UPDATE: Ben Utecht took advantage of Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh's absences, and led the Bengals with four catches and 49 yards. Utecht makes for a decent TE2 if you're into drafting backup tight ends (though I don't see the point in doing so). Utecht's production will decrease once Chris Henry returns from his 8,000th suspension.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 475 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 71.

Dustin Keller, Jets
There's a good chance we'll be seeing Chris Baker and Dustin Keller on the field at the same time. With no legitimate No. 3 receiver, Keller could play in the slot. He's merely a rookie, so I'd look elsewhere.

AUG. 5 UPDATE: It's unwise to trust rookie receivers and tight ends, but if you're looking for a first-year tight end, make sure you take Dustin Keller. After lighting it up in training camp, Keller was the most impressive player on the field during the Jets' scrimmage. Keller could be looking at 450 yards and about four touchdowns, so don't go nuts or anything. Still, he's definitely ahead of John Carlson and every other rookie tight end.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 450 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 69.

Alge Crumpler, Titans
I don't know if it was Bobby Petrino or his own fat getting in the way, but Alge Crumpler took a year off last season. After a string of at least 770 receiving yards from 2004 to 2006, Crumpler, who was overweight and drop-happy, managed just 444 to go along with his five touchdowns. Crumpler turns 31 soon, so maybe age is taking a toll on him as well. I like the idea of buying low, but there's a good possibility that Crumpler could be finished. I'd stay away.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 450 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 69.

L.J. Smith, Eagles
One of the most overrated players in the NFL, the oft-injured L.J. Smith often disappears and usually can't catch a cold. I have no idea why the Eagles franchised him.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 500 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 68.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars
Not much to get excited about here; Jacksonville doesn't throw the ball that often, so Marcedes Lewis will never put up elite numbers in this offense.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 490 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 67.

John Carlson, Seahawks
I can't see John Carlson not winning the starting tight end job, but I'll be shocked if he puts up monster numbers as a rookie. Still, he's somewhat of a sleeper because Matt Hasselbeck's options are limited.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 425 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 66.

Randy McMichael, Rams
Random fact - Randy McMichael has never missed a game in his NFL career. And, uhh... that's about all the positive things I have to say about McMichael. Once one of the better second-tier tight ends, the Dolphins parted ways with him because of character issues. So, it's no surprise McMichael's production dropped. In 2007, he had 39 receptions and 429 yards - both of which were career lows.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 475 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 65.

Desmond Clark, Bears
A decent bye filler in most leagues. Desmond Clark had 44 receptions, 545 yards and four touchdowns, but will be sharing catches with Greg Olsen more often this season. Clark's numbers dropped off when Kyle Orton was under center, so make sure you pay attention to whom the quarterback is.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 450 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 63.

Leonard Pope, Cardinals
Leonard Pope got into the end zone five times in 2007, but he's not much of a factor from a statistical standpoint. Look elsewhere.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 360 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 54.

Chris Baker, Dolphins
The good news is that Chris Baker's stats have increased every year he's been in the league. The bad news is that his career highs are 41 receptions, 409 yards and four touchdowns. Dustin Keller will steal some of his looks.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 325 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 50.

Jeff King, Panthers
Carolina tight ends have struggled statistically since Wesley Walls retired, but Jeff King was actually second on the team in receptions (46) and third in receiving yardage (406). He had just two touchdowns. Not a fantasy option.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 350 receiving yards. 2 TDs.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 47.